Long Beach could consolidate elections

LONG BEACH - An initiative to consolidate Long Beach's municipal elections with statewide elections has qualified for the November ballot.

The city currently has an April primary election with a June runoff contest, if needed.

California holds a June primary ahead of a November general election.

Although the measure, if passed, would change the dates of municipal elections for positions such as City Council and mayor, it doesn't include and won't affect the elections of the boards of the Long Beach Unified School District and Long Beach City College, which would still be in April and June, according to City Clerk Larry Herrera.

Proponents of the measure submitted 44,995 signatures on June 18, according to the City Clerk's Office; 21,851 voter signatures, or 10 percent of registered voters, were needed for the initiative to qualify.

The California Federation of Labor is sponsoring the effort to align city and state elections, according to the campaign's treasurer, Chris Robson.

Consolidation would bring long-term financial savings to Long Beach and increase the number of people who vote in lower- profile city contests, said Robson.

"I am against anything that limits the ability of people to participate in elections," Robson said.

A measure to mandate pay of at least $13 an hour for workers in hotels with more than 100 rooms has also qualified for Long Beach's Nov. 6 ballot.

The Los Angeles Registrar- Recorder/County Clerk estimated that the election for both measures will cost the city's general fund $471,000.

Earlier this year, Councilman Robert Garcia introduced legislation that asked city staff to study combining city and state elections.

He gave his support Monday to the initiative that, if approved, would accomplish that.

"I think this is the right thing to do for voters," said Garcia.

During a municipal election year, Long Beach voters may be asked to vote more than five times, Garcia said.

"By consolidating our elections, we could see more voter participation and less voter fatigue," Garcia added.

There could yet be a third local measure on the November ballot as well.

On Tuesday, the Long Beach City Council will consider a request authored by Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske to write a measure that would increase the tax the city levies on oil production.

In 1990, council members enacted a 15 cents per barrel tax. Voters approved a second fee of 25 cents a barrel in 2007 - plus an added inflation factor - to be used for police and fire services.

Schipske's request proposes two options.

Both would combine the fees and set the new rate at $1 a barrel, or 2 percent of price at the time the oil is sold, whichever is greater. A citizen oversight committee would oversee distribution of the funds, according to a memorandum.

The options allocate the proceeds differently, with one alternative giving 25 percent each to police and fire services and the remainder going to recreation, libraries and infrastructure.

The second option gives 35 percent each to police and fire and 30 percent to infrastructure.

The deadline to place an initiative on the November ballot is Aug. 10.